Moving through grief

Grief is an intensely personal experience. It affects each one of us differently and there’s no right or wrong way to cope.

Here, people share the things that have helped them on their journey through grief.

Angie had a stroke and then lost her father

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If you’re struggling with grief and would like to speak to someone, you can phone Cruse's national helpline on 0808 802 6161. The helpline is free and open weekdays from 9am to 8pm and weekends from 10am to 2pm. Cruse's webchat service is also open Monday to Friday from 9am to 9pm.

You can get further support, information and advice whilst grieving on the Cruse Scotland and Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief websites.

Stroke association helps stroke survivors rebuild their lives.

Disability Information Scotland to find accessible walking routes in Scotland.

BBC Bitesize to find out more about journaling and how it could help with stress and feeling anxious.

NHS inform has a bereavement and grief self-help guide.

Angie found these things helpful:

Talking to friends and family.
Distractions, like swimming or walking.
Keeping a journal to clarify thoughts.
Using music to put you in a place of calm.

Try creating your own playlist of song tracks that can soothe you when you're distressed.

Geoff ran a marathon with his father's name on his back

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Run for Charity helps you to find events to take part in and raise money for a charity that matters to you.

NHS inform's sleep problems and insomnia self-help guide is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). This may take around 30 to 40 minutes to work through.

Palliative Care Scotland have information about palliative care.

Search Scotland's Service Directory for bereavement support near you.

NHS inform has a bereavement and grief self-help guide.

Geoff says:

grief lasts as long as it lasts
do something in your loved one's memory

Tommy lost his mum when he was young

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The Mental Health Foundation is a UK wide charity which works to create a society that supports good mental health for all.

See Me is Scotland's campaign to end mental health stigma and discrimination.

Beat is a website for support, information and advice about eating disorders.

Tommy says it helps to:

write things down on paper
open up about things and ask for help
use the support available from bereavement organisations online
celebrate your loved one's life

Chloe lost her friend to suicide

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Mind has information and resources on Losing someone to suicide.

The Samaritans and Cruse Scotland have created Facing the Future, support groups for people bereaved by suicide.

SAMH have created a range of resources to support people affected by suicide.

NHS inform has a bereavement and grief self-help guide.

Chloe explains that there’s no right way to grieve:

Don’t feel guilty if you’re not grieving in the same way as others.
Keep in mind what the person you’ve lost would have wanted.

Christine speaks about the death of her son

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Compassionate Friends offers support for bereaved parents and their families.

Their free helpline is open every day from 10am to 4pm and 7pm to 10pm. Phone 0345 123 2304 or e-mail: helpline@tcf.org.uk to find a range of different services, groups and activities in Scotland.

If you have been affected by the death of a baby, you can find support from SANDS.

NHS inform has a bereavement and grief self-help guide.

Christine found these things helpful:

Spending time in nature and green spaces.
Creating memorials for the person you’ve lost.
Going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, as this may help with your sleep.
Eating well.

Jo talks about losing her mum

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The Brain Tumour Charity offers fundraising ideas in their Ideas Archive or you can look at Cruse Scotland's fundraising ideas.

Jo suggests what helped her on her journey:

Channelling negative feelings into something positive by helping others.
Talking about your loved one keeps their memory alive.

Shumela was trapped in grief for years

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You can listen to Dr Michael Mosley's podcast (15 minutes) or read his article about the benefits of learning on your brain.

For information on employment and career related training, learning and skills, you should visit the Skills Development Scotland website. If your employment, education or future career choices have been impacted recently, they can help you if you phone 0800 917 800.

StartScotland and My World of Work also have a wide range of information and support that can help you find a job.

The Open University offer a wide range of Free online learning. FutureLearn also offer free online courses from top universities on a wide range of subjects. You'll need an email address to sign up and modules can take anywhere from a few hours upwards.

Think Positive have a mental health hub for students and those who support them.

Shumela shares: